Brief Biography
Juan de Santovaya was present at the 1540 muster as a footman from Galicia. Galicia was a kingdom at the very northwest tip of the peninsula and today is a province containing the very famous town, Santiago de Compostela - the end of the Camino de Santiago.
Gender
Male
Country of Origin
Spain
Place of Birth (modern province/state/region)
Galicia
View Birthplace on Map
Last Known Location
Tepic, Mexico (Muster)
Position on Expedition
Footman
Within Viceroy Mendoza's Sphere
Yes
Pre-Expedition Occupation
Mendoza Guard
References-Documentary
1530-1540:
AGI, Justicia, 259, pieza 2 [visita a don Antonio de Mendoza] [copy of document 19 Sept 1539, fol. 53r lists Juan de Santaraya [sic, read it as Santovaya] as de a pie in Mendoza’s personal guard];
1540-1550:
1540, Feb.: Muster in Flint & Flint, Documents, Document 12 [arquebus, native arms, footman]